During a coordinated takedown in San Pedro, California, federal and local law enforcement agencies arrested suspected members of the Rancho San Pedro gang, which is linked to the Mexican Mafia. The operation, which resulted in the arrest of 14 suspected leaders and the seizure of weapons and narcotics, marks a significant step in the fight against cartel-linked gangs in the United States. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that the era of cartels operating freely in America is over, stating that the FBI and its partners are actively working to dismantle violent networks and save American lives.
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, in collaboration with the LAPD, Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Department of Justice, executed 16 search warrants across San Pedro and nearby communities. The investigation uncovered a network of violence, with the Rancho San Pedro gang linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and the 13th Street gang, which are allegedly involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin throughout Southern California. The FBI’s Los Angeles Assistant Director Akil Davis noted that the arrests dismantled the gang’s command structure, causing a significant setback to the organization and its Mexican Mafia overlords.
This takedown, which targeted the gang’s leadership, led to the seizure of weapons, narcotics, and records from homes and meeting spots. The federal complaint charges 13 defendants under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and a 14th as a felon in possession. Prosecutors claim the gang trafficked meth, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and PCP while stockpiling guns to enforce orders. Agents also served warrants at affiliated gang locations across the South Bay, pursuing cartel supply lines tied to the Sinaloa network.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli highlighted the power of partnerships in the case, while California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the raids for removing illegal weapons and dangerous drugs from the streets. Officially, Rancho San Pedro, which was founded in the 1970s, mirrors the Mexican Mafia’s prison-based hierarchy and enforces strict loyalty with threats of assaults or executions. If convicted, most defendants could face life in federal prison, and all 14 are due in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, with officials indicating more arrests could follow as the investigation continues.